Gmail and email widgets on the Galaxy Note II. With the large display and customizable widgets there is a LOT you can do with the Note II.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

Apps can be organized in folders on the Note II.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

There is a large S Memo widgets available for the Note II.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

More widgets, apps, and folders on the Galaxy Note II.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

You can toggle on and off the Page Buddy utility that gives you home screen panels like this S Pen page.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

You can do some fun things with the photo applications on the Galaxy Note II. I took this photo and made it black and white and then brought it into the S Memo application.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

When you plug in your earphones, this home screen panel launches. It's called the Earphones page in Page buddy.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

You can even customize these Page buddy home screen panels and as you can see I put all of the ways I listen to music on the earphones page.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

Android data usage monitor is helpful for managing your data plan.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

The wireless network control panel includes NFC and Bluetooth transfer management.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

There are two modes for the home screen, created in an attempt to make using Android easy for new owners. There are easy and basic modes available.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

Like the new iOS 6 software, you will find the Blocking Mode utility that lets you control notifications and other contact methods.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

Vibration intensity settings can be managed in fine detail on the Galaxy Note II.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

The sound utility lets you control fine aspects of sound on the Note II.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

Galaxy Note II display settings. It is important to remember that you can tap on some of the toggle buttons to further setup some areas. For example, tapping on Page buddy enables it, but also gets you to another setup screen (seen in the next screenshot).

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

Page buddy setup screen on the Galaxy Note II.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

There are not that many devices today that have LED indicator lights, but thankfully the Note II does. You can also control many aspects of the LED on the device.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

I like that Samung devices let you customize the font settings, including font styles.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

You can toggle on battery percentage. Note the percent indicator in the upper status bar.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

View of the storage status on the Note II.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

Smartphone enthusiasts will love that the Galaxy Note II has an external storage card slot that you can fill with a 64GB microSD card.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

This screenshot shows the power saving mode settings on the Galaxy Note II.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

You can view your battery consumption details as well.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

Dive into the application manager if you need to manage your memory or remove apps.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

Android devices have amazing Google Maps support so it helps to enable Google's location services in the settings.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

There are a number of screen lock settings on the Galaxy Note II, including face unlock.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

You have full control over your lock screen settings, including having some live data on the display.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

More lock screen options on the Galaxy Note II.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

IT managers will be happy to see all of the security settings on the Galaxy Note II.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

Samsung acknowledges that the Note II is a large device so they give you several settings to help with one-handed operation.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

Here is a screenshot of the one-handed dial keypad.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

View of the one-handed keyboard on the Note II.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

There is even a one-handed calculator utility.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

One thing I love about Android is the ability to install different input methods, such as Swype.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

Cloud syncing solutions are part of the settings right on the Note II.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

Backup and reset settings for the Note II.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

There are plenty of accounts you can setup and sync with on the Note II.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

More accounts on the Note II.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

Motion settings were seen previously on Samsung devices and they continue to innovate and lead in this area.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

A few more motion settings.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

Advanced settings on the Note II.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

The S Pen is radically improved on the Galaxy Note II and I love that I will be reminded if the S Pen gets left behind.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

Quick commands can be launched by simple gestures with the S Pen.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

I love that Google Now is included on the Note II.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

Google Now keeps me updated on my favorite soccer team and packages that are shipped to me.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

It doesn't get much better than Google Maps on Android.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

Gmail continues to be fantastic on Android devices.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

Samsung picks has some great apps and information.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

I purchased this $10 leather case from Amazon so I would have a way to watch movies on the large display.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

This inexpensive leather case is actually quite well built and handy.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

Back view of the Galaxy Note II in the case propped up for watching movies.

Published: November 13, 2012 -- 14:12 GMT (06:12 PST)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

Front view of the Galaxy Note II in the case propped up for watching movies.

Samsung Galaxy Note II software is as big as the hardware (gallery)

The hardware is fantastic, but it's really the software that sets the Galaxy Note II apart from the pack. Check out screenshots of the device that help distinguish it as the best Android smartphone available.